Interior view of Ziba's new and not quite finished HQ, this arterial area is called "the street"

The economy might stink but Portland's heavyweight design and branding firm Ziba is very close to moving into their new headquarters in the Pearl District. The architecture, by up and coming local firm Holst Architecture is restrained... looking very Northern European (Alvar Aalto in particular with all of its dramatic wood and emphasis on light filled corridors).

Outside detail of Ziba's new HQ

People who have been waiting for this building to open wont be disappointed and those who couldn't care less will probably be impressed with its tasteful pragmatic sense mixed with a bit of functional daring. There are no private offices and the design essentially creates a 21st century version of a design guild village. Thus, this isn't extra flashy like Zaha Hadid or Frank Gehry, who were hallmarks of the 21st century boom time. Instead, the building wears its creative "responsibility" as a kind of attention getting trait... like whispering to get noticed. Yet, the spaces are definitely impressive in a way that should propel Ziba and Holst architects to new levels.

main lobby

lobby leading to "the street" inside Ziba that acts as a unifying arterial space

main staircase to the main lobby

Ziba's exciting gallery space in the entry lobby, and the first show will be an adjunct space to The Portland Art Museum's China Design Now, which opens in October. Ziba is designing the exhibition in both locations. One minus (curatorially) is the floating wall of the gallery which is good for wall based work but can hinder both installation and scupltural work. Then again it is Ziba's lobby and wall based work does keep things from getting spatially taxing.

Either way, this is an exciting development and I wish more businesses would undertake these kinds of public/private cultural mixing chambers. The Pearl District is home to the First Thursday gallery walk after all. There are also numerous spaces for Ziba employee's work further inside the building.

Lots of interesting views

the book bar, where Ziba employees can browse

The Street from the top floor

Ziba's auditorium may also be used for some community events

Ziba even designed their own bathroom sinks

all of the work spaces have corridors which can be opened to create long sight lines

One of the many project spaces, the frosted glass creates privacy while the non-frosted parts let in natural light.